Dominated and mutilated AKA Dominator 2016 report

Hi all!

Just back from Netherlands and from Dominator, the annual ritual of slaughter. And at least it is slaughter to one's feet for sure. Here is my report of the event.

First up, somehow get to Eindhoven. It is always nice to try to get to someplace in a foreign country where the announcements are only in foreign language. If you are going from Amsterdam, you have to change train in Utrecht. Other option is to take party bus, which is really handy, or goto Eindhoven and book a hotel there, like I did. That was indeed a good option.

Next choice is do you take touringcar or shuttlebus. I took the latter, since it was cheaper. It was quite easy to find the stop, since there are signs to it, but never found any information whrere it left. Luckily I found the info on event page and fellow travellers told me where to go. Warning at this point, when you goto Dominator, shuttlebus leaves you in the middle of nowhere and you gotta walk from there to the site. That took about 30 mins. Luckily when I left, shuttle bus stop had moved next to the site. Yay! I couldn't have make it to the original stop...

I managed to get in really fast and the locker system is awesome! You got a pin code and locker number, no key which could be lost easily. This was the case, if you paid for the locker in advance. And I do recommend this, it works like a charm. You can goto the locker as many times as you want and when you want, so it is much better system than cloackroom. That is next to the entrance, so the location is good too :)

Next up: stages and a map. The area is HUGE, and I do mean HUGE. And so are two stages that were outside: main stage and the hardstyle arena (Sands Of Slaughter). I've never seen so big stages in my life and they were cool. The whole look of Dominator is coordinated as whole experience, so it felt like you were in a amusement park of hardcore or in a different country. All was rusty and ragged, which worked well and suited the whole experience well. Main stage's volume was good and the sound was pure (wear earplugs!), After the wow-effect of main stage, I started my journey into the different areas and that took time. The area is big. There were only 8 stages all over the beach. Most of them were tents that were like saunas, there were only 2 outdoor arenas, the biggest ones.

All stages were really nice and suited each arena and the whole experience well. It did take quite awhile to walk from the main stage to the other end of the area, where they had hidden frenchcore tent. That was full up to it's capacity and no way to get into. And after I managed to get into the tent to check out Speedfreak vs Le Bask, it was hotter than sauna, so I had to leave quite quickly. Damn. And as for Dr. Peacock, no way Jose to get into the tent, Sector 79 tent was easiest to get into since it was sadly 2/3 full at best. Shame really, since they got smashing djs there such as Day Mar vs. Negative A and Repix, who played the best set of the festival. He was just radiating enthusiasm and positive energy that was impossible to resist. Also it was good to see an arena for new talent! We really need those more if you ask me. Without them, the whole thing will wither.

Other positive surprises were the beach side, where you could goto chill out and sit. You always found a place to sit and that is really rare. Also you had a LOT of choices on food, eventhough everything was expensive as one can expect from a festival. One could also go swimming or take a ride at couple of rides. And you got free sun lotion :) As for free water, only option was to fill your bottle at toilet area.

When you got 8 arenas it is impossible to choose where to go. I wish I had spend more time at Sands Of Slaughter (hardstyle arena) since that one really was rocking. The stage was built in water and people on the opposite beach and water were going nuts. Beach (and some people in water) dancing the day away was quite a sight.Main arena had your typical big players from Most Wanted agency as always with Art Of Dance. Korsakoff played good set, the sound you can expect from her. Destructive Tendencies also rocked really well. As for Outblast vs Evil Activities it was same set all over again, both playing their biggest tracks, you've heard on their previous sets together. That was bit of a bore, but some liked it, so fair enough. Furyan's set also was disappointment. It felt like he was just playing requested songs one after other. There was just no structure in his set.

End show was full for flame, lasers and fireworks and that was goodie, eventhough Furyan's set was well, meh. Alltogether Dominator is one festival you just have to experience for yourself to see what it is all about!